About midday on Sunday, May 12, emergency services were called to Bingleburra Road, Bingleburra, where a family gathering had reportedly ended in gunfire.

Police have been told the two men, aged 35 and 28, had been involved in an altercation, which led to the older man being shot in the chest.

The younger man fled the property and was located nearby, suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Both men were treated at the scene before they were flown to John Hunter Hospital.

On Monday evening, a hospital spokesperson said both men remained in a critical condition in intensive care.

Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended the property and established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist forensic officers.

Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are continuing.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.